Effort to End TN Grocery Tax Earns Bipartisan Support
Knoxville's Davis joins Behn, Oliver in pushing for end to regressive tax
Groceries should not be taxed.
But in Tennessee and 12 other states, they are.
In fact, in a state like Tennessee with no state income tax, a grocery tax provides a reliable revenue source.
Of course, this reliability is due in part to the fact that all people buy groceries.
And, well, the tax significantly increases the price of groceries - between state and local levies, the grocery tax can add nearly 7% to a grocery bill.
On a $100 grocery tab, the tax would cover the cost of a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs.
So, it’s good news when legislators make an effort to end this regressive tax.
Last month, the second bill filed for the 2025 legislative session would permanently end the grocery tax in Tennessee.
House sponsor Rep. Aftyn Behn said:
“Instead of focusing on a bipartisan solution to inflation, Gov. Lee announced he’s giving corporations yet another tax break despite wide support for eliminating the grocery tax. It’s time to shift the tax burden off of us and onto mega-corporations who don’t pay what they owe.”
Now, the push to end the grocery tax is bipartisan.
Knoxville Republican Rep. Elaine Davis filed a bill to end the grocery tax that nearly mirrors the Behn/Oliver legislation.
In announcing the measure, Davis said it represents a way to lower food costs and indicated she has the support of GOP House leadership.
In a state that provided $500 million for the Tennessee Titans to build a new stadium and then turned around and passed $1.6 billion in corporate tax breaks, providing tax relief that benefits working families is long overdue.
Now, though, ending regressive taxes enjoys bipartisan support.
If Gov. Bill Lee announced his endorsement of the measure, it would likely pass - and Tennesseans could be months away from seeing a dramatic increase in their grocery purchasing power.
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